The first course will begin in March. "The Human Factor in Aviation" will last four weeks, require about two hours of effort each week and results in a certificate for those who complete it successfully. The MOOC will examine the role human performance plays in aviation disasters. The instructor is Dennis Vincenzi, who has 18 years of experience as a "human factors" researcher.

Other courses will explore aircraft accident investigation (beginning in May); airport and airline operations (starting in August); and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (kicking off in October). Canvas also hosts a self-paced course produced by Embry-Riddle, titled "Aviation 101," which provides an online introduction to aviation careers.

According to the university, previous its MOOCs have drawn 14,000 participants.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at dian@dischaffhauser.com or on Twitter @schaffhauser.